Information

Star Alliance · Miles & More — the most complex structure of the group; short-haul and long-haul differ, and a new Basic tier is rolling out.

Short/medium-haul (Economy):

• Economy Basic — New entry fare (rolling out from May 2026 on selected routes). Personal item only, non-changeable, non-refundable. Sold only via direct/NDC channels.
• Light — Hand baggage only, no free changes, no refund.
• Classic (appears as Comfort on some routes) — Adds one checked bag and seat selection.
• Flex — Free rebooking, refundable for a fee, same-day earlier flight possible.
• Green — Sustainability variant (offset/SAF) layered onto a fare tier.

Long-haul (Economy): Light → Basic → Basic Plus → Flex, plus Premium Economy, Business (now with a new Business Light base fare), and First.

SkyTeam · Flying Blue (shared programme) — clean three-tier Economy.

• Light — Carry-on only, most restrictive.
• Standard — Adds a checked bag and free seat selection.
• Flex — Unlimited changes, fully refundable, SkyPriority benefits.

KLM also sells a stripped Basic on select routes. Above Economy: Premium Economy / Premium Comfort, Business, and Air France La Première first class.

oneworld · Avios / The British Airways Club. Cabins are branded by name (Euro Traveller short-haul Economy, World Traveller long-haul Economy, World Traveller Plus = Premium Economy, Club Europe/Club World/Club Suite = Business, First), with flexibility tiers stacked on top.

• Basic — Hand baggage only. The classic trap — no checked bag included, none purchasable for an infant on this fare.
• Plus — Adds a checked bag and seat selection.
• Plus Flexible — Free date changes, refundable.

Club fares come as Saver and Flexible variants.

oneworld · Iberia Plus / Avios (IAG group, like BA). Economy runs four main tiers.

• Basic — Best price, cabin bag only, no seat selection, no changes.
• Optimal — Adds a checked bag and seat selection from 24h out.
• Comfort — Larger seat, priority boarding.
• Flexible — Unlimited changes, refundable.

Premium Economy and Business carry their own Optima/Comfort/Flexible variants on long-haul.

Star Alliance · Miles & More — straightforward three-tier Economy.

• Saver — Hand baggage only (8 kg), seat for a fee, changes for a fee, no refund.
• Standard — Adds a checked bag and free changes.
• Flex — Free changes, refund for a fee. (Semi-Flex / Full-Flex variants appear on some routes.)

Premium Economy on long-haul only; Business above.

Star Alliance · Miles&Smiles — distinctive "-Fly" naming.

• EcoFly — Most restrictive; carry-on focus, seat for a fee, no changes/refund.
• ExtraFly — One checked bag, free standard seat, changeable for a fee.
• PrimeFly — Two checked bags, free standard + preferred seats, better flexibility.
• FlexFly (some routes) — Maximum Economy flexibility.

Business sells as BusinessFly and BusinessPrime.

Star Alliance · Miles & More. Uses "Fly-" branding across both cabins; domestic and international share the same names but differ on fees.

Economy:

• FlyEasy — Hand baggage only (1×8 kg), no checked bag, no free changes, non-refundable. (Includes meal/beverage on international flights; not on domestic.)
• FlyOpti — Adds 1×23 kg checked bag; change for a fee, non-refundable.
• FlyFlexi — 1×23 kg checked, free changes, refundable for a fee, free standard seat.

Business:

• FlyBWise — 2×8 kg cabin + 2×32 kg checked, meal, free seat — but still charges for changes and isn't refundable.
• FlyBizz — Full business: free changes, fully refundable, free seat, lounge.

Not in a major alliance · Qatar Airways codeshare · loyalty programme transitioning to a new scheme in 2026. Short-haul and long-haul use different fare sets.

Short/medium-haul (Economy):

• Economy Light — Hand baggage only (8 kg), for short trips. (Newly introduced on regional routes in early 2026.)
• Economy Standard — One hand + one 23 kg checked bag, date change for a fee.
• Economy Comfort — Advance seat selection, airport check-in, more flexibility.
• Business All Inclusive — Two checked + two cabin bags, premium lounge, priority, fast track.

Long-haul (US, China, etc.): Economy Deal / Saver / Value / Freedom, and Business Value / Business Freedom.

Most airlines let you bring two items into the cabin: one larger cabin bag and one smaller personal item. What's free depends on your fare — on the cheapest fares (Light, Basic, Saver, EcoFly, etc.) the cabin bag is often not included, and you travel with the personal item only.

• Cabin bag — Goes in the overhead locker. The common European standard is around 55 × 40 × 23 cm and up to 8 kg, but limits differ by airline — always check yours.
• Personal item — Fits under the seat in front: a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack, roughly 40 × 30 × 15 cm.

Watch the gate. Wheels, handles, and bulging pockets count toward the size limit. If your cabin bag is over the limit — or the flight is full and lockers run out — it can be checked into the hold at the gate, sometimes for a fee. Keep documents, medication, valuables, and anything fragile on you, not in a bag that might be taken at the gate.

How your free checked allowance is measured depends on the route. There are two systems, and mixing them up is a common source of surprise fees.

• Piece concept — Allowance is counted in bags (e.g. 1 or 2 pieces), each with its own weight cap. Usual on transatlantic and most long-haul routes. Economy is typically 1 × 23 kg; Business 2 × 32 kg.
• Weight concept — Allowance is a total weight you can split across bags. Used on parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Your total — not the number of bags — is what matters.

The 23 kg figure is the standard economy piece weight; 32 kg is the absolute maximum a single bag may weigh on most airlines, for baggage-handler safety. A bag over 32 kg generally won't be accepted and must be split or shipped as cargo.

Going over your allowance is charged in three separate ways — and you can trigger more than one at once (a heavy and oversized bag pays both).

• Extra bag — More pieces than your fare includes.
• Overweight — A bag over its weight cap (commonly the 23–32 kg band). Over 32 kg is usually refused.
• Oversize — A bag whose length + width + height exceeds the limit (commonly 158 cm total).

Always add baggage before you travel. Adding a bag online when booking, or at least up to a day before departure, is markedly cheaper than paying at the check-in counter — often roughly half the price.

Items that don't fit normal rules — by size, shape, or value — usually need to be declared in advance. Acceptance often depends on available space, and a separate fee may apply.

• Sports equipment — Skis, golf clubs, bicycles, diving gear, surfboards. Most airlines carry these as a special item; declare and pay in advance, as gate rates and space limits are worse.
• Musical instruments — Small instruments may travel as your cabin bag. Mid-size ones can sometimes occupy a paid extra seat (e.g. a cello). Large instruments go in the hold in a hard case.
• Fragile & valuable items — Airlines limit their liability for fragile, perishable, or valuable goods in the hold. Carry valuables, electronics, jewellery, and documents in the cabin; don't check them.

The long-standing EU rule still applies as the default: liquids in hand baggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, all fitting inside one transparent, resealable bag of about 1 litre — one bag per passenger.

Some airports have installed new CT/3D scanners that lift this to up to 2 litres and let you keep electronics in your bag. But the rollout is uneven — it can vary between airports and even between lanes in the same terminal, and you don't get to choose your lane.

• Safe rule: pack as if the 100 ml limit applies everywhere. It's the only way to be certain nothing is confiscated.
• Exceptions: essential medicines and baby food/milk are allowed in reasonable quantities above 100 ml — declare them at security.
• Duty-free liquids: permitted if sealed in the tamper-evident security bag (STEB) with the receipt visible; don't open it before your final destination.

Rules tightened sharply under a new global standard (effective March 2026, adopted by the major aviation authorities and airlines). Power banks and spare batteries are now among the most-confiscated items.

• Cabin only — never in the hold. Power banks, spare lithium batteries, and e-cigarettes/vapes must travel in hand baggage. They are banned from checked luggage.
• Capacity: up to 100 Wh (≈ 27,000 mAh) needs no approval. 100–160 Wh requires prior airline approval. Above 160 Wh is not allowed.
• Quantity: a maximum of two power banks per passenger — some airlines allow only one.
• No in-flight use: you may not charge a power bank from the aircraft, and on many airlines you may not use one to charge your devices during the flight.

Tip: keep the watt-hour (Wh) or mAh rating visible on the device — an unreadable label can mean confiscation at the gate.

• Sharp objects & tools — Knives, scissors over the permitted blade length, and large tools are barred from the cabin but generally allowed in the hold.
• Firearms & ammunition — Only as declared checked baggage, in approved packaging, with permits; never in the cabin.
• Flammable, pressurised & hazardous goods — Items such as camping gas, certain aerosols, fireworks, and corrosives are forbidden in both cabin and hold.

Lists of prohibited items are set by aviation security authorities and can vary by country and airline. When in doubt about a specific item, check before you travel.

Most international trips need a passport, and how long it must stay valid depends on the destination.

• Six-month rule — Many countries (much of Asia, the Middle East and Africa) require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry.
• Schengen / EU — A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area, and issued within the last 10 years.
• Blank pages — Some countries require one or two blank pages for entry stamps.
• EU/EEA ID card — Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can travel between these countries with a valid national ID card; a passport is needed for destinations outside.

Check your passport's expiry well before booking — renewing takes time, and a passport too close to expiry can be refused at check-in or on arrival.

Beyond a passport, many destinations need either a visa or a cheaper, faster electronic travel authorization. Which one depends on your nationality.

• Visa — Applied for in advance at an embassy/consulate or online; types include tourist, business and transit. Allow time — some take weeks.
• Electronic authorizations — Quick online approvals tied to your passport, for visa-exempt travellers: ESTA (USA), eTA (Canada), ETA (United Kingdom), ETA/eVisitor (Australia).
• ETIAS (Europe) — The EU is introducing ETIAS, an online authorization for visa-exempt non-EU visitors to the Schengen area, alongside the new Entry/Exit System (EES). Check whether it applies to your trip and is in force on your travel dates.

Apply early, and only through official government sites — many look-alike sites charge extra for nothing.

The name on your ticket must match the name in the passport or ID you'll travel on — given name(s) and surname as printed in the machine-readable line. Airlines and border control check this.

• Book as in the passport — Use your full legal name, not a nickname. Minor typos can sometimes be fixed; a wrong name may require a costly reissue.
• Advance Passenger Information (APIS) — For many destinations the airline must send your passport details to the authorities before departure. You'll usually enter these at online check-in or at the airport — have your document ready.

If a name was misspelled at booking, tell us as soon as possible — corrections are easier and cheaper the earlier they're made.

Children need their own travel documents, and some countries add extra rules for minors.

• Own document — Every child, including infants, needs their own passport or ID; they can't travel on a parent's document.
• Consent letters — Some countries ask for a notarized consent letter when a child travels with only one parent, with neither, or with another adult — especially with different surnames.
• Unaccompanied minors — Airlines offer (and may require) a paid escort service for children flying alone; book it in advance, as ages and rules vary by airline.

A country you only change planes in can still have document requirements.

• Transit visa — Some nationalities need a visa even to transit airside (without leaving the international zone); others need one only if they pass through immigration.
• Changing airport or terminal — If a connection means clearing immigration and re-checking your bags, you must meet that country's full entry rules.
• Schengen — Once you enter the Schengen area at your first airport, onward flights within it are treated as domestic; clear passport control at your first Schengen point.

Some destinations have health-entry rules, and all have customs limits.

• Vaccination certificates — A few countries require proof of vaccination (e.g. yellow fever) depending on where you've recently travelled. Check well ahead — some need a waiting period.
• Customs & currency — Most countries cap duty-free goods and require declaring cash above a threshold (e.g. €10,000 entering or leaving the EU). Restricted items include certain foods, plants and medicines.

Requirements change and are specific to your nationality and route. Always verify close to departure:

• IATA Travel Centre — passport, visa and health requirements by route.
• Your country's foreign ministry — travel advice and document guidance for citizens.
• The destination's embassy or consulate — the authoritative source for visas and entry rules.

Visa, transit and entry rules can change at short notice. When in doubt about your specific case, check before you book and again before you fly.

The easiest way to check in — from your phone or computer, before you leave for the airport.

• When it opens — Typically from 24–48 hours before departure until a few hours before, depending on the airline. You'll get a reminder when the window opens.
• What you do — Confirm your details, enter any required passport / APIS data, choose or keep your seat, and add bags if you haven't already.
• Your boarding pass — Saved to your phone (wallet app or airline app) or printed at home. Have it ready before you reach security.
• Bags — Checking in online doesn't drop your bags. If you have hold luggage, go to the bag-drop counter at the airport — it usually has a later deadline than full check-in.

Some fares or destinations can't be completed online (for example when documents must be verified in person) and will ask you to finish at the airport.

If you didn't check in online, or you have bags to hand over, you'll use the airport counters or self-service kiosks.

• Counters & kiosks — Kiosks print your boarding pass and bag tags; counters handle the same plus documents, special requests and oversized items.
• Have ready — Your booking reference and the passport or ID you're travelling on. For many destinations your travel document is checked here.
• Bag drop — Tag your bags (or have them tagged) and hand them over before the baggage deadline. Weigh carry-on and checked bags against your allowance to avoid fees at the desk.
• Arrive early — Allow about 2 hours before a short-haul flight and 3 hours before a long-haul or intercontinental one, more in peak periods.

Check-in closes well before departure — earlier than most travellers expect. Miss it and you can't be accepted, even if the plane is still at the gate.

• Typical close — Online check-in closes a few hours before departure; airport check-in and bag drop usually close 45–60 minutes before a short-haul flight and 60 minutes or more before a long-haul one.
• It varies — Exact times depend on the airline, airport and route. The deadline on your confirmation or the airline's page always takes precedence over these general figures.
• Bags need time — Checked bags must clear screening and reach the aircraft, which is why the baggage deadline is firm.

With your boarding pass in hand, head to security, then to your gate — both take longer than you'd think at busy times.

• Security screening — Liquids in containers up to 100 ml in a clear bag (unless your airport uses newer scanners that lift the limit), laptops and large electronics out unless signed otherwise, jackets and belts off.
• Find your gate — Gates can be a long walk or a shuttle away and can change; watch the airport screens and listen for announcements.
• Passport control — For international departures, allow extra time to clear emigration before reaching the gate.

The gate is the hardest deadline of the trip. Boarding starts well before departure and the gate closes early — once it's closed, it does not reopen.

• Boarding starts — Usually about 30–45 minutes before departure, often by group or zone shown on your boarding pass.
• Gate closes — Commonly 15–20 minutes before departure. The time printed on your boarding pass is the one that counts.
• Don't rely on a last call — Arrive at the gate in good time; if you're not there when it closes, your seat can be released and your checked bags offloaded.
• If you're running late — Tell any airline staff member at once; they can sometimes help, but they can't hold a closed gate.

Online check-in always happens on the operating airline's own website or app — the airline that actually flies you, which on a connection can differ from the one you booked with. Find yours below; the link opens its official site, where Check-in or Manage booking starts the process. Check-in windows and deadlines are set by each airline.

Croatia & the region

• Croatia Airlines
• Air Serbia
• Aegean Airlines

Lufthansa Group

• Lufthansa
• SWISS
• Austrian Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Eurowings
• ITA Airways

Other European airlines

• Air France
• KLM
• British Airways
• Iberia
• LOT Polish Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• Finnair
• airBaltic

Low-cost airlines

• Ryanair
• Wizz Air
• easyJet
• Vueling
• Norwegian
• Pegasus Airlines

Middle East & Türkiye

• Turkish Airlines
• Emirates
• flydubai
• Qatar Airways
• Etihad Airways
• Royal Jordanian
• EgyptAir

North America

• United Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Air Canada

Asia & Pacific

• Singapore Airlines
• Qantas
• Cathay Pacific
• Air China
• China Airlines
• ANA
• Japan Airlines
• Korean Air

Latin America & Africa

• LATAM Airlines
• GOL Linhas Aéreas
• Ethiopian Airlines

A baby is treated as an infant until its second birthday — counted on the date of each flight, including the return.

• On the lap or own seat — Infants usually travel on an adult's lap (one infant per adult), free or at a reduced fare on international routes. You may instead buy a seat and bring an approved child restraint for safety.
• Turning 2 during the trip — A child who turns 2 before the return must have its own seat and a child fare for that flight.
• Bassinets — Long-haul aircraft offer a limited number of bassinets at bulkhead seats, up to a weight/length limit. Request early.
• Equipment — Strollers and car seats are normally carried free; a small baggage allowance may apply even for a lap infant. Varies by airline.
• Document — Every infant needs its own passport or ID (see Travel documents).

From the second birthday a child travels in its own seat.

• Fare & seat — A child or adult fare applies depending on the airline and route, with a full seat and baggage allowance.
• Sitting together — Tell us at booking so we can seat children beside an accompanying adult — seat maps fill up, so the earlier the better.
• On board — Many airlines offer child meals, entertainment and priority boarding for families; ask and we'll request them.

A supervised service for children flying without an accompanying adult: staff check them in, escort them through the airport and on board, and hand them to a named adult on arrival.

• Ages — Usually mandatory for roughly ages 5–11 and optional for 12–17, but the limits vary by airline; children under 5 generally cannot fly alone.
• Booking — Must be arranged with the airline in advance, with full details and ID of the adults dropping off and collecting. A service fee applies.
• Restrictions — Often limited to direct flights or barred on the last connection of the day; some airlines don't accept minors on certain routes. We'll confirm before booking.

Flying is generally safe in a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, but airlines set limits as the due date approaches.

• Up to ~28 weeks — Usually no restrictions.
• ~28–36 weeks — Many airlines ask for a medical certificate stating the due date and that you are fit to fly, dated close to travel.
• After ~36 weeks — (about 32 weeks for twins or more) most airlines will not carry you.

The exact weeks and certificate rules differ by airline — confirm before booking, especially for long-haul flights.

Airports and airlines provide free assistance for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability — through the terminal, security, boarding and on board. Request it in advance, ideally at booking and at least 48 hours before departure.

• Wheelchair help — To the gate (WCHR), up and down steps (WCHS) or all the way to your seat (WCHC). Say which you need.
• Sensory & other needs — Assistance for sight or hearing impairments, help with connections, and seating that suits your needs.
• Your own mobility aid — Wheelchairs and mobility aids are carried free; for powered chairs the battery type must be declared in advance.
• Assistance dogs — Trained service dogs normally travel in the cabin free of charge with the right documentation; arrange this ahead of time.

If you have a condition that might need attention in flight, require medical equipment or oxygen, or have recently had surgery or a serious illness, the airline may need medical clearance before you travel.

• Medical form — Clearance is given via a medical information form (MEDIF) completed with your doctor. Frequent travellers with a stable condition may hold a FREMEC card so they don't repeat it each time.
• Equipment & oxygen — In-flight oxygen, stretchers and some devices must be arranged ahead and may carry a charge; portable oxygen concentrators and similar devices need airline approval.
• Medication — Carry it in your hand baggage with prescriptions or a doctor's note, and check the destination's rules on restricted medicines (see Travel documents).

Many airlines carry pets in the cabin or the hold, but rules, fees and limits vary widely and space is limited — book as early as possible.

• In the cabin (PETC) — Small cats and dogs within a combined pet-and-carrier weight limit, in an approved soft carrier that fits under the seat in front.
• In the hold (AVIH) — Larger animals travel in an approved ventilated crate as checked baggage or cargo; temperature and route restrictions can apply.
• Documents — A pet passport or health certificate, microchip and an up-to-date rabies vaccination are typically required. The EU and many countries have strict import rules — check the destination well ahead.
• Breed limits — Some snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are restricted for welfare reasons. Assistance and service animals follow the separate rules above.

Most airlines let you choose a seat after booking, free or for a fee depending on the fare and where in the cabin you sit.

• Cabins — Economy, premium economy, business and first differ in seat width, recline/lie-flat, service and baggage. Availability varies by aircraft and route.
• Extra space — Extra-legroom and exit-row seats usually cost more; exit rows have age and fitness conditions set by safety rules.
• Choosing early — Tell us your preference (window/aisle, seats together, bulkhead for a bassinet) at booking; the best seats go first and some are only assigned at check-in.
• Families — Many airlines try to seat children with a parent at no charge — request it early all the same.

Whether a meal is included depends on the airline, cabin and flight length.

• Full-service airlines — Complimentary meals and drinks on most medium- and long-haul flights; a snack or buy-on-board on shorter ones.
• Low-cost airlines — Food and drink are usually bought on board or pre-ordered when booking.
• Premium cabins — Multi-course menus, wider drink selections and, on some airlines, the option to pre-order a main course.

On airlines that cater meals, you can request a special meal for dietary, religious or medical reasons — usually at no extra cost, but it must be ordered ahead, typically at least 24 hours before departure.

• Dietary — Vegetarian (VLML), vegan (VGML), gluten-free (GFML), low-salt (LSML), diabetic (DBML), low-fat (LFML).
• Religious — Kosher (KSML), halal/Muslim (MOML), Hindu (HNML), Asian vegetarian (AVML).
• Family — Child meal (CHML) and baby meal (BBML).

Tell us your meal when you book and we'll request it; carry a small snack in case a connection or aircraft change interrupts the order.

In-flight entertainment and connectivity vary widely by aircraft.

• Entertainment — Seat-back screens on many long-haul aircraft; on others you stream films and TV to your own phone or tablet over the cabin's system, so bring earphones and download the airline's app beforehand.
• Wi-Fi — Increasingly available, sometimes free (often a basic messaging tier) and sometimes paid by the hour or flight. Not yet on every aircraft.
• Power — Many aircraft have USB and/or power sockets; a power bank is a safe backup (it must travel in your cabin bag, not the hold).

Lounges offer a quiet space, seating, food and drink, Wi-Fi and sometimes showers before your flight.

• Who gets in — Business- and first-class passengers, eligible frequent-flyer status holders, and travellers with a lounge pass or qualifying card.
• Paid entry — Many lounges sell single visits if you don't otherwise qualify; we can advise what's available at your airport.
• Guests & time — Guest rules and how early you can enter vary by lounge and ticket.

Priority services speed you through the airport and are tied to your cabin, status or an add-on.

• Fast-track security — A dedicated lane through security and sometimes passport control.
• Priority check-in & boarding — Dedicated desks and earlier boarding.
• Priority baggage — Bags tagged to come off the belt first on arrival.

Tell us if you'd like these — they may be included with your fare or available to add.

Each airline group runs its own programme — Miles & More (Lufthansa Group), Flying Blue (Air France–KLM), Executive Club (British Airways), Miles&Smiles (Turkish), Skywards (Emirates) and many more.

• Earning — You collect miles/points on flights and with partners (hotels, car hire, credit cards). Add your membership number to every booking so nothing is missed.
• Spending — Redeem for award flights, upgrades, extra baggage or seat selection. Award availability is limited, so book popular routes early.
• Alliances — Most airlines belong to Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam, so you can usually earn and spend across all member airlines with one membership.

Fly enough in a year and you reach a status tier that stays with you regardless of the cabin you book.

• Typical benefits — Lounge access, extra baggage, priority check-in, security and boarding, better seat choice and bonus miles.
• Reaching it — Status is earned over a qualifying period by flying (or with partners). Within an alliance, your tier is usually recognised across member airlines.

Businesses can earn rewards on their travel on top of what each traveller collects personally — useful for SMEs whose staff fly regularly.

• How it works — The company earns points into a single corporate account while employees still earn their own frequent-flyer miles on the same trip. Points fund flights, upgrades or services for the business.
• Examples — PartnerPlusBenefit (Lufthansa Group), BlueBiz (Air France–KLM), On Business (British Airways/Turkish) and similar schemes.
• Setting up — Enrolment is free and we can register your company and add its number to your bookings so every business trip counts.

Loyalty benefits only apply if the right number is on the ticket.

• Tell us — Give us your frequent-flyer (and company) number at booking and we'll add it so miles credit automatically.
• Missed a flight's miles? — Most programmes allow retroactive crediting for a period after travel if you keep your boarding pass and ticket.

EU air passenger rights cover you on:

• Any flight departing from an EU airport — on any airline, and
• Flights arriving in the EU — when operated by an EU airline.

They also apply in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Outside this scope, the rules of the country or airline involved apply instead, which may offer less.

For long delays and cancellations the airline must look after you, and may owe compensation.

• Right to care — Once a delay passes a threshold (broadly 2–4 hours by distance), you're entitled to meals, refreshments and communication, and to overnight accommodation with transfers if you must wait until the next day.
• Refund or re-routing — If a flight is cancelled — or delayed 5 hours or more — you can choose a refund or an alternative flight to your destination.
• Compensation — For cancellations at short notice and arrivals delayed 3 hours or more, fixed compensation of €250, €400 or €600 may apply by distance — unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances (such as severe weather or air-traffic control strikes) beyond its control.

Flights are sometimes overbooked. If there aren't enough seats, the airline first asks for volunteers to give up their seat in exchange for agreed benefits.

• If you're denied boarding against your will — You're entitled to compensation (the same €250–€600 bands), plus a refund or re-routing and care while you wait.
• Volunteers — Giving up your seat is voluntary; agree the compensation and the replacement flight before you accept.

For checked baggage on international flights, airline liability is set by the Montreal Convention (a limit of roughly 1,288 SDR per passenger).

• Report it at the airport — If a bag is missing or damaged, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before you leave the baggage hall.
• Time limits — Claim for damage within 7 days of receiving the bag, and for delay within 21 days of its delivery.
• Keep receipts — For essentials bought while a bag is delayed, and for the bag and its contents if it's lost.

If you're moved to a lower cabin than you paid for, the airline must reimburse a percentage of the ticket price for the affected flight (30–75% by distance under EU rules). You don't pay to be upgraded if the airline moves you up.

Most issues are settled directly with the operating airline.

• Keep everything — Boarding passes, booking reference, receipts and any notice the airline gave you about the disruption.
• Claim with the airline first — Submit through its customer-relations channel, describing what happened and what you're claiming.
• If it's not resolved — You can escalate to the national enforcement body in the relevant country, or use an alternative dispute-resolution scheme.
• We can help — As your agency we can guide you through the process and liaise with the airline on your booking.